8 Fantasy Football Sleepers for Week 5

Jerick McKinnon, RB, Minnesota Vikings

Latavius Murray is getting most of the fantasy hype with Dalvin Cook done for the season, and while he's in line to see the biggest workload in Cook's absence, he's certainly not a lock to be their most productive back over the rest of the way. Jerick McKinnon has no business being on the waiver wire in over 85% of Yahoo! public leagues.

Cook had been a workhorse, averaging 20.3 carries and 4.3 targets per game before his injury-shortened Week 4. His absence leaves a ton of volume to go around in the Minnesota Vikings backfield.

McKinnon had already been seeing some work in the passing game, averaging three targets per game, and with Murray's lack of receiving acumen (he ranked 23rd in Reception NEP per target among the 32 backs with at least 40 targets last year), McKinnon is a safe bet to at least take over Cook's passing-down work. The potential for increased work on the ground gives him some nice upside, too.

He is banged up heading into Monday night's game against the Chicago Bears (a good matchup, as the Bears rank 21st in Adjusted Defensive NEP per play), but even on the off chance that he doesn't suit up, he's a guy worth picking up for when he does return to action.